Outplacement and Career Management blog – Personal Career Managementhttps://www.personalcareermanagement.com
Career coaching, outplacement support & career management programmesFri, 02 Aug 2019 13:06:02 +0000en-GB
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1 Announcing our New London Offices!https://www.personalcareermanagement.com/blog/announcing-our-new-london-offices/
Mon, 22 Jul 2019 11:02:15 +0000https://www.personalcareermanagement.com/?p=10137We’re excited to announce that we have a new London office location. You can now find us at our new address: 6 Dorset StreetLondonW1U 6QL Our new location is bigger,

Corinne Mills joined the discussion on the BBC World Service today, they asked “Are Arts degrees worth it?”

In today’s blog we explore the whole debate:

Arts Degree versus Vocational Degree

There has been, and continues to be, various debate surrounding the worth of an arts degree in comparison to the STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) and more vocational degrees. Of course, it is important to recognise that the term ‘worth’ can allude to numerous factors. Some individuals may view salary prospects as an indicator of a fruitful degree, whilst others may prioritise course enjoyment and pursuing your career passions as more significant indicators of valuable study. With university fees ever-increasing, competition for graduate-level jobs rising and pressures to feel a return on investment from university intensifying, the big question remains: is an arts degree worth it?

Complimenting the Arts degree with Work Experience

Some individuals argue that arts degree graduates find it more difficult to land and secure themselves a job following study. Corinne Mills, career coach and Managing Director of Personal Career Management, argues that it all depends on the types of roles you are applying for and the range of experiences that you can bring to the role. Current skills must be used in tandem with other work experience to maximise employability. Corinne suggests you get involved in charity and volunteering work, run a society, assist with student welfare, become a student ambassador, and work alongside your degree (this could be within retail, hospitality, work within the university and much more). A healthy mixture of voluntary and paid work, alongside your degree, will give you a range of skills that will enhance your career capital and show you to have gone over and above.

Soft Skills

Transferability in the workplace is key. Corinne states that the skills gained from an arts degree make for a favourable candidate when looking for advanced soft skills. Arts graduates have an ability to write compelling arguments with substantial evidence such as research and data. Their degree prepares them to communicate effectively whilst providing a holistic approach to the understanding of certain circumstances. This could be socially, politically, culturally, – essentially, they are able to provide a multi-faceted approach to alternative scenarios. This is incredibly helpful within the workplace.

Great Leaders

Typically, leadership roles require people to be creative, analytical, excellent communicators and public speakers, to name a few. Arts degrees cultivate all of the necessary skills that make a great leader. According to ResourcefulManager, “technical aptitude and business savvy aren’t worth much if leaders don’t have the people skills to execute them”. Arts students cultivate a plethora of skills, including research, alternative approaches and perspectives to different topics, and the ability to articulate their ideas excellently, both verbally and on paper. When considering short-term salary, Tony Donohue, Head of Education and Social Policy at Ibec, states that “arts graduates may take longer to get there, but when they do, they reach senior positions within organisations”. This suggests an encouragement to be more open in their outlooks and approaches allows arts graduates to hold greater influencing and relationship management skills.

An ‘Easy Option’?

When considering the worth of arts degrees in comparison to more ‘traditional’ STEM subjects, it is important to consider your reasons for studying in the first place. Corinne Mills advises that you need to study something that you enjoy. Studying something you are passionate about is much more likely to translate into achievement. What may seem like an easy option to one person is a challenge to another. Ultimately, people choose a degree that is in line with their skills. Generation Z are also causing a shift in motivations for studying and career choices. Individuals going off to university are now more likely to choose degrees that they are passionate about, with less focus on money; people increasingly want to make a difference to society whilst also pursuing something they enjoy.

Money or Passion?

Some individuals will consider future career prospects whilst others will prioritise course satisfaction in their degree. Ideally, you should aim to satisfy both factors if possible. Whilst some argue that salary expectations may be higher for vocational degrees, Corinne explains that skill shortages within these fields increase the likelihood of desirable packages to attract top talent. Deloitte maintain that “the value of humanities-educated individuals is more than the money they make and the goods and services they produce. It is about the problems they help solve”. This transferability of arts degrees strikes once again, whilst Corinne Mills advises that most employers are willing to invest in on-the-job training, whilst vocational degrees offer scope for manoeuvre also. Corinne advises that there are different routes into many professions and therefore you could do an arts degree and then pursue more focused training later on to specialise your skill set. In this sense, an arts degree is a good base for your early career, providing a well-rounded platform as opposed to just functional, which you can hone in on later on.

Is an Arts Degree Worth It?

Ultimately, it is crucial that there is a healthy balance of people choosing to study both the arts and STEM degrees. Corinne suggests it would be a great loss to future organisations if individuals studying arts degrees were to disappear. We need individuals with technical skills but also those with soft skills to overlay a degree of sensitivity and human emotion to varying scenarios within the workplace. Whilst technology is important, being able to adapt to different situations and apply soft skills is invaluable to any organisation. Whilst arts degrees may not provide a direct route into a specific job, the skills gained are hugely transferable and highly sought after by employers. With this in mind, arts degrees are hugely worth it and essential for the day-to-day running of any organisation.

]]>In tough times, women shinehttps://www.personalcareermanagement.com/blog/in-tough-times-women-shine/
Fri, 08 Mar 2019 13:46:12 +0000https://www.personalcareermanagement.com/?p=9777International Women’s Day 2019 – In tough times, women shine Current reality Seeing as it is International Women’s Day, what better day to recognise the potential for women to be

Current reality

Seeing as it is International Women’s Day, what better day to recognise the potential for women to be brilliant leaders. Recent studies have shown that women are more likely than men to lead in times of crisis. Given the current political and economic climate, surely we can then assume that there are many opportunities for women to rise and showcase their skills in the workplace right now. With Brexit on the agenda and Theresa May serving as the first female Prime Minister since Margaret Thatcher at a time of such unrest, it is possible that this statement has some plausibility.

Utah State University investigated Fortune 500 companies and found that over the past 15 years businesses were more likely to appoint a woman for the leading role when the company was performing undesirably. These instances imply that men are happy to stand down to make way for women to lead. Other literature has stated that “typically female” traits of empathy, understanding, and tact have proved useful in times of difficulty. Whether these suggestions represent a truth or not, it is undeniable that women require greater representation within senior positions in the workplace.

Using crises as a time to attain leadership roles

Women must put themselves forward and reach for opportunities to showcase their leadership ability without letting old fashioned gender stereotypes get in the way. If a time of crisis is supposedly the best way in, then so be it! It does not mean you are destined to fail; if anything, an individual who is trusted to turn things around during challenging times deserves credit. It is the ideal chance to prove your abilities and restore confidence in your own strengths. Don’t let impostor syndrome give you self-doubt or cause you to give off the impression that you are less capable than you are for fear of being accused of being arrogant. Be proud of your accomplishments; you deserve to be where you are. Leaders need to be confident and decisive; failure to recognise your strengths and achievements could be highly damaging to career progression.

It is common to have setbacks throughout any career and therefore it is important that you do not let this deter you from taking on the challenge. Remember – you are only human, and it is more than acceptable to ask for help within the organisation in times of need. Ask people you work with for their opinions on projects coming up and ensure you network with and seek advice from others that are in similar positions. Consider going on a course to fine tune your public speaking and presentation skills. Throughout the journey you will certainly improve your resilience, determination and skillset, which will only be increasingly beneficial moving forward in your career.

Continued focus on increased visibility and equality

Whilst International Women’s Day may be a great platform to call for greater visibility of women in leadership positions, this shouldn’t be emphasised on just one day a year or confined to during times of crisis.

Whilst female leaders often stand out, this is generally for the fact that unfortunately there are far fewer of them. Pew Research found that within Fortune 500 companies, only 26 women are in CEO roles, making up only 5.2% of the US female population, displaying an overwhelming gender disparity in leading corporate roles. This fact alone can cause women to shy away from positions that put them in the spotlight when it should not be the case – someone’s skillset and capability is not defined by their gender.

The Peterson Institute for International Economics carried out a survey of approximately 22,000 firms from 91 countries and found that having women at the C-Suite level significantly increases net margins. This supports the idea that gender diversity and business success go hand in hand. All organisations should by now recognise the importance of diversity and inclusivity at all levels in the workplace to maximise their talent pool.

]]>How to handle a Stress Interviewhttps://www.personalcareermanagement.com/blog/how-to-handle-a-stress-interview/
Wed, 27 Feb 2019 14:35:56 +0000https://www.personalcareermanagement.com/?p=9731Keeping your cool in the hot seat Although a familiar sight on The Apprentice, hellish interviews aren’t just confined to our TV screens. Intimidating and stressful interviews may be a

Keeping your cool in the hot seat

Although a familiar sight on The Apprentice, hellish interviews aren’t just confined to our TV screens. Intimidating and stressful interviews may be a sign of a dreadful manager who you’ll never want to work for, in which case the sooner you get out of there the better.

However, sometimes interviewers will deliberately pile on the pressure because a key part of the role is conflict management and they want to test your resilience under stress.

They might use intimidation, ask ambiguous and confusing questions, interrupt you or make negative personal comments in a bid to test your mettle.

So how can you prove your worth at the “interview from hell”?

Prepare, prepare, prepare: It is easy to intimidate someone who has not done their homework so make sure you have thoroughly researched the company, product and competitors. Look at the job specification and think of relevant examples of skills and experience that match what they are looking for in a candidate. Always practise your answers out loud beforehand so you can express them clearly and confidently on the day.

Depersonalise: The interviewer is trying to see if you will stay calm under pressure or “lose it”. Treat this is as a game, where you win if you can remain composed despite provocation and dirty tactics from your opponent.

Watch your body language: The interviewer may use poor eye-contact, fidgeting, and folded arms to put you on edge. Your own body language is likely to become more defensive as a result, so pay special attention to this. Try to slow down your breath, speed of talking and gestures to help you appear calm.

Take your time: The interviewer may be deliberately confusing you and hurrying you for an answer. Buy yourself more thinking time by repeating the question back to make sure you’ve understood it, for example: “You’re asking whether I’ve experienced ABC and how I dealt with it – is that right?”

Take advantage of a distraction: You may be able to deflect some of the pressure by physically moving from the “hot seat”. Find an excuse to move around while you are thinking of an answer, such as pouring a glass of water or using a flipchart to illustrate an answer.

Be assertive: If the comments get too personal then it’s important to show your assertiveness rather than shying away from them, for instance saying: “I think I can do a really good job for you, however, if you don’t, then we may need to agree to disagree”.

Use Humour: Jokes are unlikely to go down well, but being open about the conflict in the room and showing that you can laugh at yourself may be a canny move in breaking some of the tension – for example: “Wow! I feel like I’m being grilled on the barbecue!”

End Positively: Show your resilience by ending the interview on an upbeat note, such as: “Well it’s been an incredibly tough interview, but I know that I can do a great job for you given the opportunity”.

Finally, you must weigh up whether you want to work in this role or not. Think carefully about this and don’t be misled into thinking that it will get any less stressful once you are in the role – it usually doesn’t.

]]>The ‘Love Monday Mornings’ Tips Calendarhttps://www.personalcareermanagement.com/blog/the-love-monday-mornings-tips-calendar/
Mon, 04 Feb 2019 12:52:50 +0000https://www.personalcareermanagement.com/?p=9716February is the month of love, so why not show your career a little love too? Whether you’ve had enough and want a complete change or you just want to

]]>CV Howlers: What NOT to write on your CVhttps://www.personalcareermanagement.com/blog/cv-howlers-what-not-to-write-on-your-cv/
Mon, 14 Jan 2019 13:35:24 +0000https://www.personalcareermanagement.com/?p=9670CV Howlers: What NOT to write on your CV Personal Career Management carried out a CV Survey and found that a staggering 98 per cent of job applicants are reducing

Personal Career Management carried out a CV Survey and found that a staggering 98 per cent of job applicants are reducing their chances of success significantly through CV mistakes including poor spelling, grammar or presentation!

These errors have led to a number of alarming disclosures, such as being “A director with a strong breath”, or perhaps fresh from watching Sweeney Todd, “Baker, working on ovens and customers.” Then there is the potentially eye catching applicant who writes that “I’m looking manly for an IT role” followed by the baffling “Everything I do must be done in Safeway.” The mind boggles! Another which completely confused was the candidate who “had designed and developed a stapler that was capable to staple up to 30 sheets of paper in 2002.” Who knows how many sheets it can staple in 2019.

More job candidate attempts to impress potential employers failed as a result of poor phrasing and inappropriate language such as the rebel who says he’s “Responsible for drug abuse, alcohol and antisocial behaviour.” He’s clearly not an immediate asset for any employer. Perhaps more suitable is the applicant who proudly announces “I don’t consummate alcohol”

Out of 600 CV’s surveyed we discovered over 90% had errors in spelling or grammar, and 25% of those were badly presented. Other examples of CV mistakes uncovered in the study include the bombastic “Brought in by American company to take control of the UK”, the frightening “I am self discipline” and the most egocentric of all, “Promoted to Head of I”.

We should also celebrate the cutting edge thespian who boasted of being “President of Drama Society and acted in Shakespeare’s Romeo and Othello”.

When asked about key strengths, one applicant merely replied “Broad.” Another could have landed himself in court claiming that he was “A candidate with a sold academic record.”

The final two selected here are both examples of being both inaccurate and unnecessary. “My top 5 clients in the past year have been…” and then a list of eight clients. Secondly, “I speak fluent German language to a working level.”

Mistakes were not confined to applicants for junior roles either. Over 50% of the applications we looked at were drafted by CEOs, professionals and recent graduates.

Our advice? Follow these golden rules to avoid CV mistakes:

Check: Check, double-check and then get someone else to check your CV to ensure there are no mistakes

Never rely on spell check: Public and pubic are both spelt correctly and will both pass a spell check but may not both convey precisely the meaning you were hoping for on a CV.

Watch your language: Include content that is relevant to the job in question providing examples to back up your statements. Use language that is concise rather than jargon heavy.

Visuals: Ensure that your CV looks good, using a clear, consistent, style that is visually pleasing and makes the information easy to read. When a photograph is requested as part of the interview process, including a holiday snap from Ibiza is unlikely to impress, yet you would be astonished at the number of people who do this. Smiley faces or similar are equally inappropriate.

If you would like help with your job search, our expert career coaches can help.

You can contact us on 01753 888995, or send us an enquiry via our contact form to find out more about how we can help you create an effective job search campaign.

]]>AVAILABLE TO BOOK NOW! How to get hired: A Guardian masterclasshttps://www.personalcareermanagement.com/blog/book-now-how-to-get-hired-a-guardian-masterclass/
Mon, 07 Jan 2019 14:06:30 +0000https://www.personalcareermanagement.com/?p=9657How to get hired: A Guardian masterclass with Corinne Mills Impressing a prospective employer in a competitive job market is paramount. So how can you stop your application from ending

Impressing a prospective employer in a competitive job market is paramount.

So how can you stop your application from ending up on the reject pile?

In this Guardian masterclass, Corinne Mills will teach you how to write relevant and compelling CVs, LinkedIn profiles and job applications, to make sure you will be among the shortlisted candidates. It will also show you how to impress an interview panel and make it easy for them to hire you.

This workshop is ideal for anyone who wants to maximise their chances of job hunting success, whether you are relatively new to the job search or have been looking for a while.

You’ll learn how to:

Decode job adverts to present yourself as a suitable candidate

Choose the right tone to showcase your skills in a positive and authentic way

Devise a CV that will maximise your chances of being shortlisted

Use LinkedIn as an invaluable career marketing tool

Answer tricky questions to impress an interview panel

Avoid the self-sabotaging mistakes that affect over 90% of candidates

Overcome common career challenges, such as career gaps, limited experience, etc

About Corinne Mills

Corinne Mills is a highly experienced career coach and joint Managing Director of Personal Career Management. She has helped thousands of individuals with a wide array of career challenges to achieve their career goals. She’s also the author of the UK’s bestselling CV book You’re Hired! How to write a brilliant CV, and Career Coach. Corinne works with the Guardian regularly as a career expert, writing articles and appearing on our Guardian Careers panels. She also writes and comments for other national media including the BBC News, Radio 4, Sky, ITV.

Keep your goal in mind and stay motivated. Create a plan of action and work out how you are going to implement this. Be sure to set clear goals with a time frame of what you need to achieve. Drum positivity into your head and keep Scrooge at bay. Now that you have recommendations from others, don’t forget to sing your own praises too. Whilst it may feel unnatural, take credit for your previous successes and make yourself heard. Learning how to look positively about yourself will not only boost your confidence but will encourage you to aim high and grab opportunities as and when they present themselves. Don’t be afraid to show off previous successes and your influence within them. Think about what has gone well previously – what did you do to deserve that pay rise or promotion? How can you apply this to your career moving forward?

Use your twelve-day check list to consolidate what it is you are looking for and make sure you have completed all the necessary steps in order to boost your career. Here’s to 2019 being your most successful yet!

]]>On the Eleventh Day of Christmas… Ask for Recommendationshttps://www.personalcareermanagement.com/blog/on-the-eleventh-day-of-christmas-ask-for-recommendations/
Fri, 04 Jan 2019 14:00:53 +0000https://www.personalcareermanagement.com/?p=95704th Jan: Eleven Pipers Piping On the Eleventh Day of Christmas… Ask for Recommendations Have others singing your successes by asking for recommendations. Speak to family and friends and ask

4th Jan: Eleven Pipers Piping

On the Eleventh Day of Christmas… Ask for Recommendations

Have others singing your successes by asking for recommendations.

Speak to family and friends and ask for their opinion of your best qualities and skills. It is common to take your own skill set for granted and so the opinion of those closest to you may remind you of your best attributes. Ask co-workers what they think are your professional strengths. Use online platforms such as LinkedIn to your advantage, sending requests for recommendations and endorsements for your skills. It will provide a public platform for your successes within work for anyone that comes across your profile to see – this could be future clients, recruiters and even potential employers.

Online recommendations will prove impressive moving forward and show off your professional reputation publicly. Recommendations not only reinforce but add credibility to the skills you have included in your CV and online profiles. Provide suggestions of what to include within the recommendation to make it easier for someone taking the time to respond. Ask them to include what they thought was your biggest strength or how your work impacted them or their organisation. Recommendations can come from a diverse range of people and will advance your personal brand.

]]>On the Tenth Day of Christmas… Expand Your Skill Sethttps://www.personalcareermanagement.com/blog/on-the-tenth-day-of-christmas-expand-your-skill-set/
Thu, 03 Jan 2019 11:02:35 +0000https://www.personalcareermanagement.com/?p=95683rd Jan: Ten Lords A-leaping On the Tenth Day of Christmas… Expand Your Skill Set Take the leap and challenge yourself, but make sure you do your research before marching

Take the leap and challenge yourself, but make sure you do your research before marching on to your next job in order to land firmly on your feet.

Be both ambitious and realistic. Study the industry you are looking to move into and make sure you have all the technical skills required before making the transition. Look up the requirements for your desired role and demonstrate how you have met these on your CV. Ensure you have the appropriate level of knowledge, qualifications and training, and key competencies for the desired job.

Taking on a new challenge could simply be about expanding your skill set. Undertake an online training course, join a public speaking club, or even join the Christmas choir in order to fill the gaps. It may not even be directly work linked; but it could still enhance your employability moving forward. Aim to stand out from the crowd and include any other information on your CV that will increase your employability. You may speak additional languages, have published work, or won an award – these are all marketable skills to both your current and prospective employers.

]]>On the Ninth Day of Christmas… Network, Network, Networkhttps://www.personalcareermanagement.com/blog/on-the-ninth-day-of-christmas-network-network-network/
Wed, 02 Jan 2019 11:24:05 +0000https://www.personalcareermanagement.com/?p=95662nd Jan: Nine Ladies Dancing On the Ninth Day of Christmas… Network, Network, Network Whilst Christmas and the New Year are a great time for parties, socialising, and inadvertently, networking,

2nd Jan: Nine Ladies Dancing

On the Ninth Day of Christmas… Network, Network, Network

Whilst Christmas and the New Year are a great time for parties, socialising, and inadvertently, networking, you must seize any opportunity to network all year round. Whether it be work events, family get-togethers, or friends’ parties, networking events present the perfect opportunity to meet people in a more relaxed environment.

At work events, build relationships by finding out some more about your colleagues. It could be a great chance to introduce yourself to the team you are hoping to join. Whether it is a co-worker, their spouse, or someone outside of the organisation, include everyone in conversation to show your inclusiveness. Try and refrain from getting your mobile out every two minutes; show you are interested and engaged.

It is important that whilst you network and enjoy yourself, you act accordingly. Whilst it is the season to be jolly, control your alcohol intake; remember there could be people you want to impress in attendance! You want people to remember you for your engaging conversation, not as the individual that got carried away with the mulled wine. Understand and follow the dress code – now is not the time to be making a fashion statement. Avoid doing a Bridget Jones and turning up in an untimely fashion with wild hair and questionable make up. Remember the occasion and keep it formal, smart and respectable. Remember – networking events are not just for Christmas, and are a chance to make yourself known, but for the right reasons!

]]>On the Eighth Day of Christmas… Create and Take Opportunitieshttps://www.personalcareermanagement.com/blog/on-the-eighth-day-of-christmas-create-and-take-opportunities/
Mon, 31 Dec 2018 09:23:51 +0000https://www.personalcareermanagement.com/?p=95641st Jan: Eight Maids A-milking On the Eighth Day of Christmas… Create and Take Opportunities Milk the opportunities that come your way. Whilst January may be a month for reflection,

Whilst January may be a month for reflection, it is also the ideal month to embrace change. It is the time when new opportunities will start appearing in the job market, so make sure you are prepared! Arrange to see old friends and build connections over a coffee and mince pie. Talk to family and old colleagues, reminding them of your presence and skill set.

Make sure you are aware of what is going on in the company you work for. Be proactive and offer to help the next time a company event is taking place, or a new project is underway. You will get the chance to demonstrate your skills and even develop and expand on your current skill set, proving invaluable moving forward. Leave any Bah Humbug at home – your energy and enthusiasm will not go unnoticed. It is sometimes the small things that you do that will make you memorable at work and show yourself to be a key team player. You will also demonstrate that you are adaptable to change, willing to learn and can represent the company well.

]]>On the Seventh Day of Christmas… Build Communication and Presentation Skillshttps://www.personalcareermanagement.com/blog/on-the-seventh-day-of-christmas-build-communication-and-presentation-skills/
Mon, 31 Dec 2018 09:21:54 +0000https://www.personalcareermanagement.com/?p=956131st Dec: Seven Swans A-swimming On the Seventh Day of Christmas… Build Communication and Presentation Skills Take note from a swan’s ability to exude serenity on the surface whilst pedalling

On the Seventh Day of Christmas… Build Communication and Presentation Skills

Take note from a swan’s ability to exude serenity on the surface whilst pedalling away under the water. Emulate this calmness and determination by refining your presentation and communication skills.

Outstanding communication skills are invaluable. They will make you influential, respected, and a highly valued individual. Poor communication could prove destructive to your professional reputation. Whilst many may instantly think of an effective communicator as someone that confidently

conducts meetings, presentations, and key conversations, the first step to effective communication is listening. Make mental note of key information and reiterate to co-workers to display your understanding and engagement. Ensure that all forms of written correspondence, including emails, letters, and reports, are clear and professional. Be both assertive and respectful – you do not want to fade into the background and appear uninterested. Share your opinions in a thoughtful manner to display your confidence and show that you are an active participant within the organisation.

The world of work can cause stress, annoyance, and disagreement, and a temptation to express grievances. Rather than complain, offer productive suggestions for improvements, and bypass the undesirable reputation of the office Grinch. Maintain positive body language by avoiding slouching or crossing your arms and ensure you have eye contact with everyone involved in the conversation. By improving the articulation of your ideas, you will appear polished and professional. This will not only reflect positively in your CV and interviews, but your relationship with co-workers, senior figures and prospective clients will flourish.

What better time than New Years Eve to replicate a new peace of mind and professionalism in your presentation and communication skills, improving not only your personal image but how you deliver within the workplace.

Lay the path to success by creating your own online personal brand. Social networking is now crucial, whereby expanding your digital footprint will be fundamental to increasing your visibility to new opportunities. Making a good first impression is no longer restricted to interviews, where many recruiters and head-hunters will now make an opinion of a possible candidate based on their online profile alone. Create a LinkedIn account, making sure your profile picture is professional, clear and of you alone. Remember to tick that you are open to recruiters and always reflect a professional business web presence.

Think carefully about your skills, keeping in mind the role you are applying for, and ensure they are accurately reflected on your profile. Market yourself effectively and ensure your headline stands out. This is the first thing people see when looking at your profile; see it as your opportunity to sell yourself. Follow companies that interest you to gain a wider insight into the industry you are looking to get into. Interact with people by connecting with past and present colleagues, alumni, and people you have met at networking events. No network is ever too big – it might come in useful one day. Enhance your visibility by sharing topics and commenting on discussions. Take ownership and promote yourself in order to seek and discover opportunities over your Christmas break.

]]>On the Fifth Day of Christmas… Explore Your Optionshttps://www.personalcareermanagement.com/blog/on-the-fifth-day-of-christmas-explore-your-options/
Mon, 24 Dec 2018 12:03:03 +0000https://www.personalcareermanagement.com/?p=955629th Dec: Five Gold Rings On the Fifth Day of Christmas… Explore Your Options Don’t go full circle and be running rings around your career – aim for gold! Be

Don’t go full circle and be running rings around your career – aim for gold!

Be sure to explore different career options. Whilst you have time to think over the Christmas break, work out what is causing your current job dissatisfaction. Boosting your career could entail several different possibilities. There could be a new role within your existing organisation, or even a similar role in a new organisation. Think about what it is you like about your current job and then consider what it is that is making you seek out a new opportunity. It could be that you are happy within your current role, but you would prefer to work in a company with a different environment.

Think about your ideal company to work for. What are the company’s values and ambitions? How does the company compare to its competitors? What training or development is on offer? Have a look at the organisation’s website, the location and building, the hiring process and literature on the organisation. All these factors could be influential moving forward. Make sure you know exactly what it is you are looking for before rushing into your next move – a job is not just for Christmas!

]]>On the Fourth Day of Christmas… Boost Productivityhttps://www.personalcareermanagement.com/blog/on-the-fourth-day-of-christmas-boost-productivity/
Mon, 24 Dec 2018 12:00:45 +0000https://www.personalcareermanagement.com/?p=955428th Dec: Four Calling Birds On the Fourth Day of Christmas… Boost Productivity As cliché as it may sound, often the early bird does catch the worm, so rid yourself

28th Dec: Four Calling Birds

On the Fourth Day of Christmas… Boost Productivity

As cliché as it may sound, often the early bird does catch the worm, so rid yourself of any procrastination and boost productivity with these tips.

Whilst you have fewer work commitments and a freed-up schedule over Christmas, establish a routine of tasks to do and set strict but realistic time frames in order to get a plan of action together. It is undeniable that a healthy work space equals a healthy mind. Schedule time in for some ‘personal admin’. Create a clear filing system; ensure that your emails are neatly in folders and that your inbox is clear and up-to-date. Scan in any loose paperwork to cut down on paper lying around. Clean up your personal image, making sure you are smart and presentable for interviews, and that online profiles are respectable and professional.

Work smarter, not harder, by ensuring that you have full visibility online. Check that you have correctly attached your CV, you are visible on job boards, and that you are easily accessible on LinkedIn. Boost productivity by concentrating in short bursts towards working out your next career move in order to gain maximum focus and stop yourself from feeling overwhelmed. Productivity and organisation are key! By improving your efficiency, you will enter the New Year with a clear head and a newly fuelled motivation. You will also free up some time for yourself in the process and gain more time to enjoy the festivities!

]]>On the Third Day of Christmas… Volunteerhttps://www.personalcareermanagement.com/blog/on-the-third-day-of-christmas-volunteer/
Mon, 24 Dec 2018 11:12:16 +0000https://www.personalcareermanagement.com/?p=955027th Dec: Three French Hens On the Third Day of Christmas… Volunteering The Three French Hens symbolise faith, hope and charity. Have faith in your own abilities, remain hopeful for

27th Dec: Three French Hens

On the Third Day of Christmas… Volunteering

The Three French Hens symbolise faith, hope and charity. Have faith in your own abilities, remain hopeful for new opportunities, and volunteering for charitable work.

Volunteering provides the perfect solution in order to satisfy all three of these factors. It will remind you of skills already acquired that you have for so long taken for granted. It provides the chance to explore new projects, thereby building on and developing your current skill set. It also offers a great chance to increase your professional network. The beauty of volunteering is that you will always have the freedom to control how many hours you do, thereby moulding charitable work around current work commitments and your social life.

Volunteering will undoubtedly improve your confidence, allow you to take on new challenges, and even provide you with experience in an industry or role that you are perhaps thinking of pursuing, but before having to make any long-term commitments. By partaking in voluntary projects, you could be opening new career opportunities all the while giving back to the wider community. Christmas is a time for giving after all!

]]>On the Second Day of Christmas… Know Your Worthhttps://www.personalcareermanagement.com/blog/on-the-second-day-of-christmas-know-your-worth/
Mon, 24 Dec 2018 10:21:04 +0000https://www.personalcareermanagement.com/?p=954826th Dec: Two Turtle Doves On the Second Day of Christmas… Know Your Worth Be sure that you have not outgrown your role and job title – is it time

Be sure that you have not outgrown your role and job title – is it time to take flight?

Although is it all too easy to grow complacent within a role or organisation, it is important that you feel you are valued and that you are rewarded accordingly. You may even feel that you have reached your peak within a role and are capable of more. Perhaps plan to meet your manager after the New Year to discuss internal opportunities at work. If there are no progression or promotional opportunities available within your current organisation, you may want to think about expanding your options and looking elsewhere.

Undertake some research on your current industry and role and see how your experience and salary matches up with others on the present job market. Browse through some online job boards to see what is out there and get a more current idea as to salary expectations. Keep in mind your location and job description when comparing this data. Make it clear that you are open to new opportunities near you so that recruiters are easily able to contact you following job applications. Explore your options and know your worth!

]]>On the First Day of Christmas… Relax, Reflect and Preparehttps://www.personalcareermanagement.com/blog/on-the-first-day-of-christmas-relax-reflect-and-prepare/
Mon, 24 Dec 2018 10:20:44 +0000https://www.personalcareermanagement.com/?p=954025th December: A Partridge in a Pear Tree On the First Day of Christmas… Relax, Reflect and Prepare It’s officially Christmas! Spend your day relaxing by the fire and catching

It’s officially Christmas! Spend your day relaxing by the fire and catching up with family and friends. Enjoy giving out presents from underneath the Christmas tree bejewelled in sparkling lights and an array of baubles that have accumulated over the years. Indulge on a feast of roast turkey with lashings of gravy whilst being surrounded by Christmas crackers, laughter and festivity. Now is the time to relax, reflect, and reward yourself with a very merry Christmas.

The Christmas break will provide the ultimate opportunity for getting some well needed rest, whilst also preparing for the year to come. If we apply this to your career, then your Christmas tree is not the only thing that has needed decorating; it is the perfect time to revamp your CV.

Showcase your skills in a way that reflects your best self. Exude positivity throughout your CV, highlighting how you have been a key employee within past organisations. Avoid any negative language and support your successes with action-based evidence of exceptional past performance and the effect this had within the organisation. Rather than simply mentioning sales as a skill, develop it to “excellent negotiator, achieving 130% or higher of sales target for three consecutive months, leading to top seller of the quarter and contributing to company’s best sales month for three years”. Don’t get carried away with excessive jargon. It is important that whilst your CV shows off your skills and qualifications, it is understandable to a recruiter too.

Less really is more – keep the format clear and simple and aim to keep your CV to two pages, unless you are an academic needing to include publication details. Stand true to your claims and reflect the skills you are trying to convey. If you possess excellent attention to detail, ensure your CV is accurate in terms of spelling, punctuation and grammar. Make any use of full stops and bullet points consistent throughout. According to the Recruitment and Employment Commission, approximately half of all CVs sent to recruiters contain spelling and grammar mistakes. Make use of the spell check function and get someone else to check it through before uploading a final version. Don’t let your CV go pear-shaped!

]]>New Year, New Start, New Career!https://www.personalcareermanagement.com/blog/new-year-new-start-new-career/
Mon, 24 Dec 2018 10:20:17 +0000https://www.personalcareermanagement.com/?p=9546New Year, New Start, New Career! Create a career action plan for the year ahead in line with your reflections over the holidays. This could include updating your CV and

Create a career action plan for the year ahead in line with your reflections over the holidays. This could include updating your CV and LinkedIn profile, identifying the gaps in your skillset and ways to address them, revamping your interview outfit or choosing to work with a career coach to develop or change your career. No matter how tough 2018 may have been, January 2019 offers a fresh start and a chance to achieve your New Year’s Resolutions – this could be your best year yet.